Globally-renowned whisky distillers Tomatin are returning as headline sponsors of a prestigious Pro Am golf tournament over three of Scotland’s finest links courses.
The annual event, now known as the Highland Golf Links Pro Am 2019 sponsored by Tomatin, will be played over the famous championship courses at Royal Dornoch Golf Club, Castle Stuart Golf Links and The Nairn Golf Club.
The 54-hole event, to be held from 30 September to 2 October, will be one of the richest on the PGA in Scotland Tour and will be limited to 60 teams.
In addition to the first place cheque, the winning professional will pick up a unique prize of a bottle of 50-Year-Old Tomatin single malt which has been bottled exclusively for the event with an estimated value of £10,000.
The event has also attracted new corporate partners TaylorMade and Black Isle Brewery.
Tomatin were the tournament’s original sponsors, from 2012-2015, and helped establish it as one of the most coveted events on the Scottish golfing calendar.
Stephen Bremner, Managing Director at Tomatin, said: “We are delighted to again be sponsoring this renowned event played over three magnificent links courses.
“The mix of quality golfing in beautiful locations with excellent food and drink really showcases what the Highlands has to offer. This is the perfect fit for us and our markets at home and abroad.”
The event is already attracting significant interest from home and abroad. A capacity field would see 240 players – one professional and three amateurs – tee up at Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart and Nairn.
Castle Stuart has hosted the Scottish Open on four occasions and last year was the venue for the Duke of York Young Champions Trophy. Royal Dornoch staged the Boys Home Internationals in 2018 and previously hosted the Scottish Amateur Championship on three occasions and also The Amateur Championship and the international Jacques Leglise Trophy. Nairn, which has been home to both the Walker Cup and Curtis Cup, held the Boys Amateur Championship in 2017.
Stuart McColm, general manager of Castle Stuart Golf Links, who is leading the organising team, said: “The Highland Golf Links Pro Am has become a must-play event for golfers, from both home and abroad, who enjoy the challenge of links golf at three of our best courses.
“We are delighted to have Tomatin back as headline sponsor. Scotland is synonymous with golf and whisky and this renewed partnership will help elevate the event to new heights.
“We are also extremely grateful to new corporate partners, TaylorMade and Black Isle Brewery for their valuable support, as well as The PGA for their help in running this showcase event.”
The Pro Am is open to teams of four players from anywhere in the world consisting of three amateurs (ladies or gentlemen) plus a professional of their choice. Teams that do not include a pro are allocated a leading player from the PGA in Scotland Order of Merit.
Shona Malcolm, The PGA’s Regional Manager for Scotland, said: “The Highland Golf Links Pro Am is one of the first events that the top Tartan Tour players register for when the playing schedule is announced each year.
“The tournament provides a combination of three great links golf courses, keen competition and social opportunities, and we at The PGA look forward to working with the organisers and sponsors to make the 2019 staging of the event the best yet.”
Catriona Sutherland, from Black Isle Brewery, said: "We're proud of our Highland provenance and delighted to bring Black Isle organic beer to this year's Highland Golf Links Pro Am."
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